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Introduction

Access to clean water is critical to people's health and well-being. However, in many parts
of the world, especially in rural or developing communities, the supply of clean and safe
water remains a significant challenge. Water contamination by sediments, bacteria, and
chemical compounds can have serious health consequences, making water purification an
urgent necessity.
The home filter is based on a multi-layer design using filter materials such as gravel, sand,
and activated carbon. Each of these materials plays a crucial role in removing different
types of pollutants: gravel captures large sediments, sand filters fine particles, and activated
carbon adsorbs chemical compounds.

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Table of Contents

Contenido
Introduction........................................................................................................................................2
Justification.........................................................................................................................................4
Problem procedure.............................................................................................................................5
Hypothesis...........................................................................................................................................7
General Objective...............................................................................................................................8
Specific Objectives.......................................................................................................................8
Theoretical framework......................................................................................................................9
Analysis of the Results.....................................................................................................................10
Conclusions.......................................................................................................................................11
Annexes..............................................................................................................................................12

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 Justification

The availability of safe drinking water is essential for public health and community
development. In many regions of the world, access to clean water is limited due to
contamination by sediments, pathogenic microorganisms and chemical contaminants. This
situation can put people's health at risk, leading to waterborne diseases and affecting quality
of life. Therefore, creating practical and accessible solutions for water purification is of
utmost importance.
1. Need for Affordable and Accessible Solutions:
A home water filter offers an economical alternative that uses simple and accessible
materials, providing a viable solution for low-income communities. When designing a
home filter, we are looking to offer an option that is both effective and affordable, allowing
more people to access clean and safe water.
2. Efficiency in the Elimination of Contaminants:
The proposed design for the home filter uses a combination of gravel, sand, and activated
carbon, each of which plays a specific role in removing different types of contaminants.
The gravel removes large sediments, the sand filters out the finest particles, and the
activated carbon adsorbs chemical compounds and improves the taste of the water. This
multilayer structure is based on well-established filtration principles, which have proven to
be effective in purifying water.
3. Education and Community Empowerment:
Building and maintaining a home water filter provides a valuable educational opportunity
for communities. By involving residents in the process of creating and caring for the filter,
a greater understanding of the importance of water purification is fostered and practical
skills are developed that can be applied to other areas of daily life. This education and
empowerment are critical to improving water management practices at the local level.

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 Problem procedure
Materials
1. Empty plastic bottle (2 liters is a good option)
2. Scissors or knife (to cut the bottle)
3. Cotton (can be made of a swab cotton or similar)
4. Activated Charcoal
5. Sand (you can use construction or aquarium sand)
6. Gravel or small stones
7. Coffee or cloth filters (optional, to improve filtration)
8. Dirty water (to test the filter)
Procedure
1. Bottle preparation:
- Cut the base of the plastic bottle. This will be the end where the water will seep through.
2. Place the cotton:
- Place a piece of cotton in the opening of the bottle (the bottom that is now the top end of
the filter). This acts as a first layer of filtration to capture large particles and prevent
activated carbon from spilling out.
3. Add activated charcoal:
- Pour a layer of activated charcoal over the cotton. Activated charcoal is excellent for
absorbing contaminants and improving the taste and smell of water.
4. Add sand:
- Add a layer of sand on top of the activated charcoal. The sand will help filter out finer
particles.
5. Add gravel or small stones:
- Place a layer of gravel or small stones on top of the sand. This helps prevent the sand
from mixing with the water and serves to filter out larger particles.

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6. Filter the water:
- Place the home filter on a clean container. Pour the dirty water into the top of the filter
(the opening of the bottle). The water will pass through the different layers and come out
filtered through the base of the bottle.

Additional Tips

- Cleaning: Wash all materials thoroughly before use to avoid introducing additional
contaminants.
- Material replacement: Materials like activated carbon and sand can become saturated over
time, so it's a good idea to replace them periodically.

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 Hypothesis

During the implementation of the home water filter project, challenges related to filter
efficiency and durability of materials are likely to arise. Specifically, the filter may not
achieve the desired efficiency in removing contaminants due to variability in the quality
and thickness of the filter materials. In addition, materials such as activated carbon could
become saturated more quickly than anticipated, requiring frequent maintenance and
replacement. However, if adjustments are made to the design and maintenance is
optimized, the filter will be able to provide safe water.
• Yes, because passing through all these elements they serve as filters, passing through each
of them to the last container with our water already filtered.
• The properties of each of them make it possible to filter water.
• It benefits us in that it saves us money and helps us with the health of our family.
• Home filters are a viable option from an economic point of view, for water treatment in
the Colombian rural sector, with a high level of efficiency in the removal of physical-
chemical and microbiological parameters.

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General Objective
 Design, build, and test a home water filter with accessible materials to remove sediment,
bacteria, and contaminants, ensuring safe water and improving quality of life in
communities with limited access.

Specific Objectives
 Develop a multi-layered home water filter design, using gravel, sand, and activated
carbon, to effectively filter sediments, fine particles, and chemical compounds.
 Measure the time needed to filter a specific amount of water with the prototype.
 Compare the clarity and odor of the water before and after filtration using visual and
sensory indicators.

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 Theoretical framework

Principles of Water Purification

a. Filtration: Filtration is the process by which suspended solids and particles are separated
from water. This process is based on the use of a filter medium that retains the largest
particles and allows clean water to pass through it. Filtration can be physical (removal of
sediments and particles) and chemical (removal of dissolved compounds).
b. Adsorption: Adsorption is the process by which chemical contaminants adhere to the
surface of a material. Activated charcoal, for example, is effective in adsorption organic
and chemical compounds that affect the taste and smell of water. This process is crucial for
the removal of dissolved contaminants that cannot be removed by physical filtration alone.
c. Disinfection: Although not always included in basic home filters, disinfection is the
process of removing pathogenic microorganisms from water. This can be achieved through
additional methods such as chlorination or the use of ultraviolet light, although in home
filters it focuses more on the reduction of bacteria and not on their complete elimination.

Home Water Filter Components

a. Gravel: Gravel is a coarse filtration layer that acts as a pre-filter to remove large
particles and sediment from the water. Its main function is to protect the thinner layers
of the filter, preventing them from clogging quickly.

b. Sand: Sand acts as a filter for fine particles. Its function is to capture smaller particles
that cannot be retained by gravel. Sand is effective in reducing water turbidity and
improving its clarity.

c. Activated Carbon: Activated carbon is a porous material that has a high adsorption
capacity. It is effective in removing chemical contaminants, such as chlorine, pesticides,
and organic compounds that affect the taste and odor of water. Its porous structure
provides a large surface area for the adhesion of these pollutants.

d. Strip or cotton: it is used to eliminate residues that exist in the water and also retains a
large number of protozoa; straining it so that it can be consumed.
This benefits us and contributes to the health of our family, it saves us money since with
this method we purify the water in our homes and in those areas where there is no drinking
water and avoid the contamination of dirty wáter.

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 Analysis of the Results

The analysis of the results of the home water filter project makes it possible to evaluate the
effectiveness of the filter in terms of water purification, as well as its overall performance
and suitability for its purpose. Below is a detailed analysis based on the tests and
evaluations carried out:

1. Effectiveness in Removing Sediment and Particulate Matter

Observed results:
Water Clarity: The clarity of filtered water has been measured in terms of visual turbidity
and compared to raw wáter.
Sediment Reduction: A significant reduction in the amount of visible sediment and
suspended particles in filtered water has been observed.
Analysis:
The filter has proven effective in removing large sediments and visible particles, which is
consistent with the design that includes layers of gravel and sand. The reduction in turbidity
indicates that these layers are working properly to filter out solid particles.

2. Filter Performance and Maintenance

Observed results:
Filtration Time: The time required to filter a specific volume of water has been measured.
Frequency of Maintenance: The need for cleaning or replacement of filter materials after
prolonged use has been recorded.
Analysis:
The filtration time has been reasonable and within expectations for a home filter. The
frequency of maintenance, which includes cleaning and replacing materials, has been
adequate to maintain the performance of the filter. Filter materials have proven to be
durable, although regular monitoring is recommended to ensure continued effectiveness.

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Conclusions

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Annexes

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